That Summer Feeling Doesn’t Have to End

(ARA) – The calendar says summer will soon be over, but that doesn’t mean the season has to end. More and more people are bringing the “look” of summer into their homes.

Whether the summer vista of your dreams is a Southwestern sunset, a cool mountain lake, a breezy seaside, or a tropical rainforest, the “look of summer” is all about light and color. Janus Welton, AIA, an eco-designer and “healthy home” architect based in Woodstock, N.Y., says achieving “the look” is easier than you may think.

“If you have carpet throughout your house, you may want to think about replacing it with natural linoleum,” says Welton. “ It comes in a variety of colors and is much easier to maintain. It repels traffic, dust mites and bacteria, and for children and adults with allergies and chemical sensitivities, it is a healthy choice. “

One brand that’s gaining in popularity is Forbo Marmoleum, a natural linoleum product made with linseed oil, wood flour, pine rosins, and environmentally friendly pigments backed with natural juice. It comes in over 100 different colors. Insets and borders are also available.

As a designer, Welton says she “loves” the sophisticated palette of colors with a rich textural look and feel, an array of borders, and insets, and the fact that Marmoleum offers limitless design possibilities that capture the spirit of summer.

David Hawkins, who owns an organic health food store in W.Va., became familiar with the product while doing research for work, and had it installed in his new home.

“My wife and I feel comfortable letting our son crawl around on the Marmoleum because we know it’s a natural product free of any harmful gassing. He likes it because it is a great surface for running his cars and trucks.”

Marmoleum is also the floor covering of choice in many hospitals. It has anti-bacterial properties that prevent micro-organisms, including Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus Aureus from multiplying themselves.

“Once installed, dust and damp mopping is the extent of attention this floor needs,” says Piera Marotto, marketing director at Forbo Lineolum. “Stains don’t sink in. They can be wiped away with ease.”